Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-01-26
LAWS OF PRECEDENCE.
ENGLISH SOCIAL REGULATIONS FIXED
BY LAW AND DECREE.

ENGLISH SOCIAL REGULATIONS FIXED
BY LAW AND DECREE
Not Framed according to the 'yhims of
Heraids and ChamberIains-A Country
Status.
The laws of precedence, as established in
England are very strict, and the slightest
deviation from their rules is never allowed.
1t is ali very well for people to sheer and
shrug their shoulders, and call it rot, and
rubbish, and fuss and feathers. and things like
that, and think it great nonsense. 1t is gen
orally, however, people whose station in life
and position in society are both so far down
in the scale as to make rules of precedence
with regard to them grotesque and absurd,
or else it is foreigners who, having nc fixed
rules of social precedence in their own coun-
try imagine that there is no necessity for any
anywhere else In the atmosphere of mutual
admiration and concurring opinion in which
such persons exist, it IS easy to agree together
that not only is society a farce, but that its
edicts and customs are ridiculous and useless.
can only say to those persons who think
the world can get along well enough without
such rules, and that, therefore, 1t IS OF no
consequence to know anything about them:
"Just wait till you come to England, and go
into good society, as you would wish to do.
You will then see a strict regard for and CD
servance Of these rules that VIII astonlsh you.
Nay, more; if you exhibit an ignorance OF
them, or reluctance to be governed by them,
you will be put down as barbarian Lady
Randolph Churchill, Lady Vaudeville, Mrs.
Paget and Mrs Ronalds will tell you the
same. They know"
ESTABLISHED BY ROYAL DEGREES.
Now, there is a popular notion, even III
England-but among the lower classes as a
rule--that these rules of precedence are
merely regulations of heralds and chamber
lains, framed according to their whimsical
fancies of etiquette and court subserviency
This is an error. The law of precedence in
England is established not only by royal de-
crees, but by act of parliament. Again, some
people imagine that the law of precedence Is
observed only at public, state, and court en-
tertainmentS and ceremOnialS Of the most
formal character. This is another mistake.
There couldn't be greater At all private
entertainments where it becomes in any way
necessary to have guests do anything accord
ing to order" the rules of precedence are
called into requisition. As, for instance, IN
assigning partners for state quadrllle at q
ball at which "r0yalty' is present, and In
sending guests into dinner at q dinner party,
or breakfast at a wedding.
In America age and worldly possessions,
with official, military, naval, scientific or
-o+a,, oil n
Ting the claims of each. believe l am right
in this IN England they cut no figure II
there be a member of the nobility, baronet
or a knight present. \ boy duke, ar empty
headed marquis or pauper earl viii each pre-
cede prime minister, savant, military or
naval hero, q distinguished lawyer or mil
lionaire who is below them in rank" a
duke. a marquis or an earl viii take in a
duchess, a marchioness or a countess or any
lady of title" in preference to the most cee-
brated pOetess. or authoress, or wife OF any
great literary, professional or ''rich" man
who has no rank.
HONEY CUTS 20 FIGURE.
Whatever else it may affect or control i'll
England, money has nothing whatever, per Sc,
to do with social status so far rs the law OF
precedence is concerned. This much can he
said for it, at all events. At first glance il
might seem that this favoring of mere rank
before mind was wrong. But it is difficult tc
see ho-y it could be otherwise managed. And
the fact is that great men of mind" OF
"money" in England are not in the least hurt
by having lord put before them. They un
derStand the law of social precedence; they
know how it is, and they are as willing as
anybody else to be governed by its rules. III
deed. they wouldn't dream Of expecting any
different treatment
have understood that in America English
Cords and ladies are always given The
place Of honor ct entertainments, and their
names put first in the published list of guests
OF course if this, III the spirit Of that gen
uinc hospitality for which Americans are SC
famed. is done to DO honor to the stranger
! guest. and merely because he on she Is &
! stranger guest, il is one thing. 1t Is ther
/ quite in keeping with American institution:
/ and thoroughly consistent with American
+ customary open hcartedness. But if It Is sim
/ plv because the guest has the title Of lord
! or "lady" il is cutie another thing. 1t ther
/ becomes Il species Of Anglomania toadying, &
servile Welding of superiority to the bearer
/ of a title that hasn't either the excuse of Gus
tom or the sanction of settled rule to uphold
/ IT. Another thing. Whether it be a graceful
! compliment 10 stranger IN a strange land
or an afrectation of English was in the pure
| spirit of a tuft hunter. let me say this: It il
a civiiity and mark of respect which viii il
no way he reciprocated i'll England. No mat
ter what or who an American may be il
America unless he be president or cx-presi
dent, his status in England is no higher than
any other commoners. He has no rank.
| wish this were more understood in Americ;
than it is If it were, you wouldn't see every
baronet and penny-farthing knight Will
their poor title of sir put above American
gentlemen who are really and logically thei
| s,periors London Cor. San Francisco Ar
| gOnaut.